Drift & Dagger by Kendall Kulper

Title: Drift & Dagger
Author: Kendall Kulper
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date: September 8, 2015
Pages: 368
Source/format: ARC from Mackenzi Lee

Rating: ☆☆☆☆1/2

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):

As a boy in the late nineteenth century, Mal's only friend was Essie, daughter of the Roe witch, and it was she who discovered that he is a "blank," not affected by magic, setting him on a career as a con artist, traveling the globe in search of a legendary magical dagger that can steal a witch's power.

My Thoughts

Drift & Dagger is a companion novel to Salt & Storm. We met Essie in Salt & Storm and now we get to hop back in time to when Essie is younger. Through a gentleman named Mal (short for Malcolm), we find out who Essie is. Just like Salt & Storm, the novel is a historical fantasy. What I love about this novel is all the traveling Mal does with his partner in crime, Boone. A life as a hunter of magical objects is dangerous but Mal has nothing to lose. At least he can confine in Boone for company and they can explore the world. He cannot return to Prince Island unless it's for a good reason. Traveling from Prince Island to Boston to London and Paris is just the start of his journey to find the magical dagger, the shar. Mal doesn't want the riches and glory from the dagger; he just wants revenge. Essie took something of his and he wants to take something of her's.

I actually enjoyed this novel even more than Salt & Storm. Kulper creates a outstanding world fusing the 1850's with magic. Again she is a storyteller as she captivates your heart with Mal. There is something about Mal that I fell in love with. The way he talks, the way he thinks and the way he carries himself is enthralling. All Mal ever wanted is to belong. He wanted a family and friends. It's hard to be an orphan and casted away by people he once trusted. 

If you are looking for a charming historical novel with a dash of adventure and lots of magic, definitely check out Drift & Dagger. You will be entranced by the story of Mal. 

Looking Ahead: Drift & Dagger by Kendall Kulper

I am a big fan of Kendall Kulper's Salt & Storm and I was ecstatic when I heard about the companion novel, Drift & Dagger. And to add the cherry on top, Kulper mentioned her novella Saltwater Heart will be hitting the interwebs the same day as Drift & Dagger on September 8th. If you enjoy historical fantasy with a dash of magic, definitely check out Salt & Storm, Drift & Dagger and Saltwater Heart!

Drift & Dagger Synopsis (from Goodreads):

As a boy in the late nineteenth century, Mal's only friend was Essie, daughter of the Roe witch, and it was she who discovered that he is a "blank," not affected by magic, setting him on a career as a con artist, traveling the globe in search of a legendary magical dagger that can steal a witch's power.

As a boy in the late nineteenth century, Mal's only friend was Essie, daughter of the Roe witch, and it was she who discovered that he is a "blank," not affected by magic, setting him on a career as a con artist, traveling the globe in search of a legendary magical dagger that can steal a witch's power.

Saltwater Heart Synopsis (from goodreads):

The summer James lost his heart to Alice, Alice lost her heart to the sea. The confident and charming daughter of the town's most accomplished whaling captain, Alice changes James's life the moment she teaches him how to sail. But when her father needs to fill a spot on his ship, it's James who is offered the position, and the day he returns from his expedition, he discovers Alice has disappeared.

In this companion novella to Salt & Storm and Drift & Dagger, James must search the world for his heart's desire, a journey that takes him from the strange and mysterious world of the infamous Roe witch to the deepest and most dangerous reaches of the ocean itself.

If you plan to be around the Boston area on Saturday, September 26, 2015, make sure to stop by the Boston Teen Author Festival at the Cambridge Public Library. Not only will you be able to enjoy all the amazing panels but Kulper will be there! This is a great opportunity to meet Kulper and to share your love for her books and the line up for the Boston Teen Author Festival is fabulous!